228 Pendleton RoadFarmhouse Exterior, Atlanta
Richard Leo Johnson
What Houzz contributors are saying:
19. Atlanta. A traditional granny unit with country-cottage charm will never go out of style.
Your turn: Do you live in 1,000 square feet or less? Please share a photo in the Comments and tell us why your house works for you. MoreLesson From Paris: Her Must-Haves for Living in 400 Square FeetRead about great small homes and the creative people who live in them
A Smaller Share of New Homes Sold Are SmallOn the flip side, a smaller share of the new homes selling are 1,400 square feet or less. In 2005, 9 percent of new homes sold were 1,400 square feet or smaller. In 2015, 4 percent of new homes sold were that size.To look at it another way, in 2015, nearly three times as many extra-large new homes (11 percent) sold compared with small ones (4 percent).Note: More homes sold in 2005 overall, so the number of large homes sold that year was greater (about 90,000) than in 2015 (about 55,000).
The word “comp” is short for “comparable sale.” Basically, you’re looking to see what similar homes in your area have recently sold for, and you’ll use those numbers to figure out approximately what you should expect to spend. But how should you compare homes? And where do you find accurate selling prices? “If you’re buying a home, it’s nice to know what else has sold in the neighborhood and for how much, so that a buyer feels reassured they’re not overpaying,” says Cassie Daughtrey, an agent with Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty in Seattle.But determining which homes actually represent comparable sales is a subject of hot debate, even among seasoned real estate pros. Brendon DeSimone, author of Next Generation Real Estate: New Rules for Smarter Home Buying & Faster Selling, says it all boils down to three general factors: number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage and location. Ideally, you want to compare homes where the square footage varies by only about 10 percent, and that are in the same neighborhood or school district.And then there’s the issue of the timing of each sale, as prices tend to vary not only from year to year, but from season to season.“You’re looking at homes that have sold within the last six months — even the last three months would be ideal,” says DeSimone. “Even more ideally, you’ll look at pending sales, because those have been negotiated most recently.”Comparable sales are also a key tool for determining whether you can realistically afford a house of a certain size in a certain neighborhood.
First, cottages simply cost less. And we are talking about more than their purchase price. A smaller home will cost less to heat, cool, furnish and decorate.Note: Although we are talking about the adorable structures commonly referred to as cottages, these benefits apply to any small home — in my definition, a single-family residence around 1,200 square feet.
You’re right — it’s the rocking chairs, which suggest a more leisurely pace, a less frenetic lifestyle, a neighborly attitude. The essence of a cottage — like comfort food — is that it nourishes and feeds the soul.
What Houzzers are commenting on:
I love the cottage feel of this small home. The details are amazing and welcoming.
Judith Allen
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